UVG (Unfallversicherungsgesetz) is Switzerland's mandatory accident insurance for employees. Unlike KVG (health insurance), you don't purchase it, choose a provider, or pay a premium directly — your employer arranges and pays for it entirely. It covers the medical costs and income replacement if you're injured in an accident at work or, for those who work more than 8 hours per week, outside of work too.
UVG is one of the few insurances where employees genuinely don't need to do anything — until you leave your job or start a gap period. That's where most people get caught off guard.
Fully employer-arranged
Two types of accident coverage
Occupational accident (Berufsunfall — BU)
Covers accidents that happen during work hours, while commuting to and from work, and occupational diseases (e.g., repetitive strain injuries, chemical exposure). The premium is 100% paid by the employer.
Non-occupational accident (Nichtberufsunfall — NBU)
Covers accidents that happen outside of work — skiing, cycling, slipping in the bathroom. This only applies to employees who work more than 8 hours per week for the same employer. Below that threshold, NBU is not included and you need to add accident coverage to your KVG (health insurance) policy.
Part-time workers: check your hours
What UVG covers
UVG provides comprehensive coverage that goes well beyond what KVG would pay:
| Benefit | UVG amount |
|---|---|
| Medical treatment | 100% of costs (no franchise, no co-payment) |
| Daily allowance during incapacity | 80% of insured salary from day 3 |
| Disability pension | Up to 80% of insured salary (100% disability) |
| Survivors' pension (spouse) | 40% of insured salary |
| Survivors' pension (children) | 15% per child |
| Death benefit | Up to CHF 16,800 (2026) |
The insured salary is capped at CHF 148,200/year (2026). Income above this cap is not covered by mandatory UVG — higher earners need supplementary accident insurance.
The gap when you leave employment
This is the most important thing to know about UVG: your coverage ends 31 days after your last working day. After that, you're only covered for occupational accidents (zero days of employment) and nothing else.
If you:
- Take a sabbatical
- Quit and don't immediately start a new job
- Are between contracts
- Start self-employment
…you need to add accident coverage to your KVG policy within 31 days or arrange separate accident insurance. Missing this window means you're uninsured for accidents — and a ski accident in Switzerland can cost CHF 50,000+ without insurance.
What to do during a job gap
Self-employed and UVG
Self-employed individuals are not automatically covered under UVG. They can voluntarily insure themselves — either through SUVA (the national accident fund) or through a private insurer. Self-employed people with employees must insure those employees under UVG regardless.
Who administers UVG?
SUVA (Schweizerische Unfallversicherungsanstalt) covers employees in high-risk industries (construction, manufacturing, forestry). Private insurers (like AXA, Zurich, Helvetia) cover employees in lower-risk sectors. Your employer registers with the appropriate insurer based on your industry. You have no say in this.
Want to see how UVG fits into your overall coverage picture? Try our free risk analysis.